Chinese Man with “Serpent”
Chinese Man with “Serpent”
Item
01.139
Designer
Category
Series
Material
Ivory Glazed Porcelain
With great concentration, indeed, almost turning all his attention inward, this Chinese boy blows on the serpent. Only a highly skilled musician could achieve the correct intonation and stability of sound. The bass horn, which looks somewhat unusual to contemporary eyes, was a popular instrument until well into the 19th century. Thus for example, it features in Handel’s Water Music and Music for the Royal Fireworks. The musician has the instrument wrapped securely around his body and seems – his left hand buried deep in his trouser pocket – to sway softly to the serpent’s sound.